Staff Sgt. Joshua Smith, a drill instructor for Platoon 3097, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, commands his recruit

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Staff Sgt. Joshua Smith, a drill instructor for Platoon 3097, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, commands his recruits during their initial drill evaluation Oct. 21, 2013, on Parris Island, Drillmasters, experts on the Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual, graded Smith, 30, from Saginaw, Mich., based on his ability to perform and command the drill movements. Lima Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps.

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